In their continuing effort to load up on young goaltenders for a future beyond the end of Tim Thomas’ contract and through past the end of this decade, the Bruins today signed 22-year-old goaltender Niklas Svedberg to an entry-level deal.

Svedberg played the last two seasons with Brynas IF Gavle in the Swedish Elite League.

Not too long ago, the Bruins’ goaltending depth chart was barren behind Thomas and Tuukka Rask. But with the trade for Anton Khudobin, the drafting of Lars Volden and Zane Gothberg, plus the signing of Svedberg and Adam Morrison, Boston now has plenty of young, promising goaltenders to compete for jobs over the next several seasons.

Svedberg gives Boston another candidate to start with the Providence (AHL) farm club in 2012-13. Last season he recorded a 2.47 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in 29 games. In 13 playoff games, his 1.70 GAA and .947 save percentage helped Brynas to its first SEL title since 1999.

Frank – It’s not my idea. I’m trying to peer into the mind of PC. It’s not ALL about winning cups, they have to plan for the future too. But Cups are the name of the game, and they’ll be right in the mix next year – Hate to risk a serious opportunity to win, right? PC may be sold on Rask as his option for the future, but he has the chance to keep a 2-time Vezina winner b/w the pipes if he’s not sold that Rask can win it for him now. Maybe PC wants to see Rask get 30 games or more and then decide if he can win next year with him or not.

By the way.. I’m not totally certain that the price for a goalie of his quality doesn’t actually rise at the deadline… All depends on the environment. But I’d rather they move him (in a small package) now and pick up a real solid piece for the full season, than ship him out for picks and prospects at the deadline.

Bojangles: I don’t like your idea of trading TT at the deadline ’cause his value is way higher now for a full season than it will be in March for a rental. No question Rask is THE goaltender of the organization. If you’re already comfortable with Rask as #1 to end next season, that means you definitely see him as the starter in ’13-14, don’t you? If so, that means TT won’t be extended next summer ’cause the Bruins wouldn’t be able to do so cap-wise (except if they sacrifice salary cap elsewhere on their roster, which I truly doubt). So why not maximize his value & trade him in July? That would also prevent the NHL-ready Khudobin from being put on waivers.

The more I think about this, the more this signing seems like its intended to give PC the leverage of entering the season with TT and Rask. As we know, if that happens, Khudobin probably gets plucked on waivers… but if this kid is any good, it gives the Bs the ability to trade TT at the deadline. Options.. options.

I agree with you guys that Rask is a no-trade. I’m also with B16 that Khoudobin is also up to the challenge to be nipping at Rasks butt for that spot. I just hope they can get something for TT at this point. Wouldn’t hurt my feelings to see DK sent somewhere for something, maybe even bulked with TT. I’m really looking forward to a deep playoff hungry team next year that is fully rejuvenated with some fresh blood!

Timmy should be traded before Rask. He didn’t look that good in the playoffs, and I think he will still fetch a decent value. I think Rask and Khudobin are up to the challenge.
The Bruins should try and resemble the Spurs in regards to re-tooling.

I’m in the don’t trade Rask camp. Thomas glove looked ridiculously slow near the end of the year – letting in goals I can’t remember him letting in. My only hesitation, is that I can’t figure out what the market would be for TT. Seems the Bs are stacking up tenders too, and maybe that’s the back up in case they do indeed keep Thomas and see Khudobin plucked. If Kelly isn’t signed.. maybe that’s the piece you replace with a Thomas trade, but that’s up in the air for sure. Nothin’s budging until July 1 for the Bs, unless they sign Kelly.

Nash just doesn’t fit without trading Rask, and I’m not doing that. How much better do the Bs get if they trade DK, Looch or Marchand, and Knight/Spooner and a pick? I think they need to add another forward, not trade one.

So maybe we should get rational and put aside the Nash, Parise and Suter dreaming. Do I hear any votes for PA Parenteau?

Rask goes nowhere. Since then, he hasn’t had a full season as starter despite playing good enough to earn more starts during the middle of the season. He’s the real deal. I don’t really know if I would want Nash in Boston at all. He has quite a few 30-goal seasons, sure, but the only thing he has ever won is an Olympic ring on a stacked Canadian team. To top that off, his cap hit is pretty severe and he’s signed for a number of years, so he’d be hard to get rid of if he didn’t work out so well. I wouldn’t trade Rask for another forward either. We have enough good young prospects that we can swing a deal without trading our goaltender of the future.

Now the speculation will continue…Who will be traded next–Timmy or Tuukka? I believe Timmy has at least three good years left–so I would keep him as well as Rask. But why do I just not (yet?) trust the net to Tuks in the playoffs? He was good in 2010 but not great (never really stealing a game)… If an outstanding deal came along for Rick Nash that included Rask as the centrepiece (and only roster player) I might just do it. Any other opinions?